Integrated drain and vent system for sinks

ABSTRACT

An integrated drain and vent system for sinks adapted particularly for use in recreational type vehicles. The sink drain line is equipped with a gas and vapor trap or gooseneck which connects to a vertical portion of the drain line that extends through the floor of the vehicle. The air vent line has a vertical portion parallel to the vertical portion of the drain line and it extends through and vents through the floor of the vehicle, the upper end of the vertical portion of the air vent line being connected to the vertical portion of the drain line at a level above the gas and vapor trap.

United States Patent n91 Bunch [451 July 15, 1975 INTEGRATED DRAIN AND VENT SYSTEM FOR SINKS [2]] Appl. No.1 397,704

[52] US. Cl. 4/211; 4/2l6; 4/2l9 [5 l] Int. Cl E03d 9/04 [58] Field of Search 4/2l l, 210, 209, l06, I05.

Primary E.raminer-Henry K. Artis Atturnev, Agent, or Firm-Boniard I. Brown [5 7] ABSTRACT An integrated drain and vent system for sinks adapted particularly for use in recreational type vehicles. The sink drain line is equipped with a gas and vapor trap or gooseneck which connects to a vertical portion of the drain line that extends through the floor of the vehicle. The air vent line has a vertical portion parallel to the vertical portion of the drain line and it extends through and vents through the floor of the vehicle, the upper end of the vertical portion of the air vent line being connected to the vertical portion of the drain line at a level above the gas and vapor trap.

7 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures Mira? 007} I94 INTEGRATED DRAIN AND VENT SYSTEM FOR SINKS SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention is an improvement in the plumbing accessories associated with a sink or sinks which is particularly adaptable in recreational type vehicles.

Typically in installations in recreational type vehicles the sink is equipped with a gas and vapor trap or gooseneck connected to a drain line with an air vent line connected to the drain line which extends through the roof of the vehicle. This type ofinstallation requires the provision of an opening in the roof of the vehicle. Associated with this type of installation is the additional expense of providing the opening and later possible leakage problems resulting from ineffective sealing at the point that the vent line or pipe passes through the roof. Additional expense is involved by reason of the substantial length of vent line or pipe required. Furthermore, such a vent pipe through the roof requires space and is unsightly.

The herein invention has as objectives to overcome the foregoing deficiencies and drawbacks. The herein invention in the exemplary form as described in detail hereinafter makes provision for an air vent line or pipe which connects to the drain line and extends downwardly vertically through an opening in the floor or bottom of the vehicle. The purpose of the vent line of course is to vent any possible accumulation of pressure in the drain line such that accumulated water or waste matter collected in the trap might be forced back into the sink. In the preferred form of the invention. the air vent line or pipe is a relatively short vertical length of pipe connected to a vertical portion of the drain line by way of a U-bend fitting at a level above that of the trap. Preferably the vertical portion of the air vent line is parallel to the vertical portion of the drain line and both these portions extend to and are engaged in a common fitting secured to the floor of the vehicle so that these vertical portions communicate with the openings in the floor. This particular structure accomplishes all of the desired purposes of the air vent pipe while overcoming the drawbacks outlined in the foregoing. Additional objects are realized in that the parts can be integrated into an assembly which includes the portions of the drain line, the trap the U-bend fitting, the vertical portions of the pipe that extend through the floor of the vehicle, and the fitting that is attached to the floor of the vehicle. This unitary kit assembly can be marketed as a unit and it is easier to install and to make the necessary plumbing connections and joints.

Further objects and additional advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description and annexed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is an isometric pictorial view of an installation embodying a preferred form of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view further illustrating the installation of the invention in a vehicle; and

FIG. 3 is an enlarged partially sectional view of the air vent pipe and a part of the vertical portion of the drain line and the fitting secured to the floor of the vehicle.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now more in detail to the various figures of the drawings, numeral designates schematically a typical sink stand having in it a pair of dual sinks designated by the numerals l2 and 14 which may be of conventional construction installed in the upper part of the stand. Numeral 20 designates a conventional swing spout or faucet for the water controlled by a manually operable lever or handle 22.

The sinks have typical drain outlet fittings 26 and 28 as may be seen in the figures. The drain outlet of sink 12 is connected to a T-fitting 32 and the drain outlet of sink I4 is connected to an elbow 34 and between the elbow 34 and the side opening of the T-fitting 32 is a length of pipe 36. Numeral 40 designates a typical gas and vapor trap or gooseneck formed by U-bend fitting having plumbing connections whereby one end of the fitting is coupled or joined to the other outlet of the T- fitting 32, the joint being designated at 42. The other end of the trap 40 is connected by a plumbing connection or joint 44 to an elbow 46, the other outlet of which is coupled or joined by a joint 50 to a length of tube or pipe 52 which in turn is connected to the side opening of T-fitting 54. The drain line has a vertical part 56 connected to a second outlet in the T-fitting 54 and it extends downwardly to a fitting 60 which is secured to the floor of the vehicle and which will be referred to again presently.

The air vent has a vertical portion 62, the upper end of which is joined to one outlet of a U-bend fitting 64, the other end of which is connected to a short length of vertical pipe 66, the other end of which is connected to the third outlet or opening of the T-fitting 54.

The structures as just described are shown more in detail in FIG. 3. The couplings or joints between pipes 62 and 66 to the ends of the U-bend fitting 64 may be typical or conventional plumbing connections, and therefore need not be described in further detail.

The fitting 60 has a configuration shown in FIG. 3. It may be made of plastic or any suitable material. It has a flat base part 70 which rests on the floor 72 of the vehicle and preferably is attached thereto by screws such as shown at 73 and 74. At one side it has a bore 76 which receives the end of the vertical air vent pipes 62 with a fit that may be a friction fit. The bore in the right hand side of the fitting 60 just below the end ofthe pipe 62 is of slightly smaller diameter as designated at 80 and it communicates with the opening aperture 82 in the floor 72 of the vehicle.

At the other side of fitting 60 it has a bore 86 which receives the lower end of the vertical portion 56 of the drain pipe. Extending downwardly from the bore 86 the fitting 60 has a tubular portion at 90 which fits through and extends through the opening or aperture 92 in the floor of the vehicle. The end of the tubular part 92 is threaded so that a screw cap can be fitted on it when necessary and so that a drain line 94 can be coupled to it. The tubular part 90 has a bore 96, the end of pipe 56 being at the juncture of bores 86 and 96 as shown.

From the foregoing it will be observed that the drain line has a vertical portion 56 that is parallel to the vertical portion 62 of the air vent line or pipe and that the lower end of these vertical portions engages in the common fitting 60 which is secured to the floor of the vehicle. The air vent pipe communicates with the drain line by way of the U-bend fitting 64 at a level above that of the trap 40. Thus it may be seen that the drain line is vented to the atmosphere and pressure cannot accumulate in a manner that would cause water or waste accumulated in the trap from being forced back into the sinks. All parts of the installation and all plumbing are below the top level of the stand or cabinet having the sinks installed in it. Since the openings are in the floor of the vehicle, no visible openings need be made or will appear either in the top or sides of the vehicle. All of the parts of the drain line and the air vent line or pipe can be integrated into a unitary assembly and marketed as a kit. Installation is simplified because most of the plumbing, that is the making of joints and couplings, is accomplished in integrating the assembly. The installation in the vehicle is made simpler and less expensive.

The foregoing disclosure is representative of the preferred form of the invention and is to be interpreted in an illustrative rather than a limiting sense, the invention to be accorded the full scope of the claims appended hereto.

I claim:

1. In combination with a sink installed in a recreational type vehicle, the sink having a drain line containing a gas and vapor trap and communicating at one end through an opening in the floor of the vehicle, the improvement comprising an air vent line communicating at one end with the said drain line beyond the gas and vapor trap and at the other end with an opening in the floor of the vehicle, and said vent line having an elevated portion between said ends thereof located above the level of said gas and vapor trap.

2. The combination according to claim 1 wherein the air vent line portion comprises a U-bencl fitting one end of which connects to the drain line and the other end of which communicates with the opening in the floor of the vehicle.

3. The combination according to claim 2 including a fitting having apertures to receive said one end of the drain line and said other end of the air vent line, the said fitting being fastened to the floor of the vehicle in a position whereby the drain line and air vent line have communication with the said openings.

4. The combination according to claim 1 wherein the drain line has a vertical portion extending from said gas and vapor trap to the vehicle floor, said air vent line has a vertical portion disposed in parallel side by side relation with said vertical drain line portion and extending to the vehicle floor and a U-bend fitting above and connecting the upper ends of said parallel drain and vent line portions and constituting said elevated drain line portion, and a fitting having apertures to receive the lower ends of said parallel drain and vent line portions, the fitting being secured to the floor of the vehicle whereby said parallel line portions have communica tion with said apertures in the floor of the vehicle.

5. The combination according to claim 4 wherein the drain line, the gas and vapor trap, the vertical portions of the drain line and the air vent line, the U-bend fitting and the fitting secured to the floor of the vehicle are joined into an integral assembly constituting a kit.

6. An integrated drain and vent line system for a sink installed in a recreational type vehicle comprising:

a drain line including a gas and vapor trap and a normally vertical portion extending downwardly from the downstream end of said trap, and

a vent line extending through the floor of said vehicle and including a normally vertical portion disposed in side by side parallel relation with said vertical drain line portion, and a U-bend fitting above the level of said trap and connecting the upper ends of said vertical drain and vent line portions.

7. An integrated drain and vent system according to claim 6 including:

a fitting having openings receiving the lower ends of said vertical drain and vent line portions and adapted for attachment to the vehicle floor with the lower ends of said vertical drain and vent line portions communicating through openings in the floor. 

1. In combination with a sink installed in a recreational type vehicle, the sink having a drain line containing a gas and vapor trap and communicating at one end through an opening in the floor of the vehicle, the improvement comprising an air vent line communicating at one end with the said drain line beyond the gas and vapor trap and at the other end with an opening in the floor of the vehicle, and said vent line having an elevated portion between said ends thereof located above the level of said gas and vapor trap.
 2. The combination according to claim 1 wherein the air vent line portion comprises a U-bend fitting one end of which connects to the drain line and the other end of which communicates with the opening in the floor of the vehicle.
 3. The combination according to claim 2 including a fitting having apertures to receive said one end of the drain line and said other end of the air vent line, the said fitting being fastened to the floor of the vehicle in a position whereby the drain line and air vent line have communication with the said openings.
 4. The combination according to claim 1 wherein the drain line has a vertical portion extending from said gas and vapor trap to the vehicle floor, said air vent line has a vertical portion disposed in parallel side by side relation with said vertical drain line portion and extending to the vehicle floor and a U-bend fitting above and connecting the upper ends of said parallel drain and vent line portions and constituting said elevated drain line portion, and a fitting having apertures to receive the lower ends of said parallel drain and vent line portions, the fitting being secured to the floor of the vehicle whereby said parallel line portions have communication with said apertures in the floor of the vehicle.
 5. The combination according to claim 4 wherein the drain line, the gas and vapor trap, the vertical portions of the drain line and the air vent line, the U-bend fitting and the fitting secured to the floor of the vehicle are joined into an integral assembly constituting a kit.
 6. An integrated drain and vent line system for a sink installed in a recreational type vehicle comprising: a drain line including a gas and vapor trap and a normally vertical portion extending downwardly from the downstream end of said trap, and a vent line extending through the floor of said vehicle and including a normally vertical portion disposed in side by side parallel relation with said vertical drain line portion, and a U-bend fitting above the level of said trap and connecting the upper ends of said vertical drain and vent line portions.
 7. An integrated drain and vent system according to claim 6 including: a fitting having openings receiving the lower ends of said vertical drain and vent line portions and adapted for attachment to the vehicle floor with the lower ends of said vertical drain and vent line portions communicating through openings in the floor. 